Diet pills doctor admits misconduct

A DOCTOR who sold potentially dangerous slimming pills from a makeshift clinic in Runcorn could be struck off after admitting allegations of serious medical misconduct before a hearing of the General Medical Council (GMC).

A DOCTOR who sold potentially dangerous slimming pills from a makeshift clinic in Runcorn could be struck off after admitting allegations of serious medical misconduct before a hearing of the General Medical Council (GMC).

Dr Sudesh Madan, 52, and her husband Dr Surendra Raizada, 54, both of Rainhill, ran the Look Right slimming clinics from hotels and beauty salons in Runcorn, Chester, St Helens, Rhyl and Warrington.

But a disciplinary committee of the GMC heard how Dr Madan, aided by her husband, used the clinics to sell Duramine, a powerful appetite suppressant.

The pills were withdrawn from use last year, due to suspected health dangers, but nine of the couple's patients were still prescribed them.

The committee, sitting in London, was also told the pair prescribed the pills, which should only be used by clinically obese patients, to people who were well under this weight threshold.

Dr Madan, who works for the St Helens and Knowsley Community Health NHS Trust as a clinical medical officer, originally admitted to supplying Duramine to five patients who weren't obese, knowing this was not advisable, but denied charges of serious medical misconduct and of acting irresponsibly.

But, after hearing expert evidence brought by the GMC, Dr Madan admitted the more serious misconduct charges and confessed to more than 100 allegations, which included prescribing irresponsibility and against the interests of patients.

Her husband had already admitted selling the tablets from his car to a woman who wasn't obese and the pair are now awaiting the committee's decision.

Mr Dafydd Enoch, representing the GMC, said: 'The important parts of the council's case have now been admitted.'

The hearing heard how the clinic took bookings from patients eager to lose weight. The GMC claims the clinic was set up with the sole intention to sell as many pills as possible and Dr Madan admitted selling the tablets without an initial three-month treatment plan.

The GMC also alleged the consultation rooms, based in hotel rooms or beauty parlours, were often inappropriate and that within a few minutes of meeting Dr Madan patients were prescribed the pill without fulfilling the medical definition of obese.

Duramine lost its licence in April last year after fears it could have links with fits, epilepsy and heart problems.